How to improve marriage, use humor!

One time, someone said I looked boyish. I would take that as a compliment 20 years ago. But not now. Now I feel it’s time to look manly.

So I stopped shaving. After 3 days, I had whiskers pointing in all directions. Looking into a mirror, I said to myself, “Hmm, not bad. A few more days, goodbye boyishness, and welcome Machoness and ruggedness.”

My wife took one look at me and asked, “What’s your problem?”

“No problem.”, I said. “I just want to look macho and rugged.”

“Well, it looks like you have many problems”, she said nonchalantly and went out.

Chastened, and without the encouragement of my most precious partner, I reluctantly shaved it off.

When she came back she asked, “What happened to your machoness?”

“I shaved it off. I thought you say I look like I have a lot of problems!”

She paused for awhile and then concluded, “Well, it looks like you don’t have any problem now”

Well, how can you understand women?

You know the guy with the T-shirt that shouts, “I don’t need Google. My wife knows everything”? Well, he’s dead now. Just kidding! I believe he’s a great sense of humor and so he’ll be ok. (For all concerned readers, don’t worry, my wife doesn’t know about my weblog)

We show only his back for his own protection.

Rita Rudner

Also, Make sure your wife does not know what Rita Rudner said, “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy the rest of your life.” (No, don’t google, you do not need to know who she is)

Oh, ok, click below for Rita Rudner on Marriage.

Remember Rule Number 6

Two prime ministers are sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws.

The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by a hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology.

When the scene is repeated for the third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?”

Scientific proof

What? You need scientific proof? Ok, there is actually an International Society for Humor Studies working on this topic since the 80’s. No joke! In fact, the 29th Annual conference of the International Society for Humor Studies was held from July 10-14, 2017 in Montreal, Canada. See, humor is no joke!

Yes, humor melts tension. It bonds you with those who laugh with you, and that includes your spouse. When we laugh, our body produces Oxytocin, a powerful hormone sometimes called the love hormone, cuddle hormone, or the bonding hormone. How cool is that? Every time you and your spouse laugh together, you’ll bond closer. It’s fun and does not cost a dime.

I’m sure you can agree with what Henry Ward Beecher said, “A marriage without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs – jolted by every pebble in the road.” (Go ahead and google Henry Ward Beecher)

The woman and the drunk

This reminds me of a sweet couple who has been happily married for a long time. When they visit us, the husband likes to tell jokes because my young son loves to hear them.

For most of his jokes, the wife will just smile. But a few, she would strongly protest, ”No, not that joke. That’s not a nice joke.” Yeah, you guessed it, the more he wanted the tell it!

So he began, “On a flight, a woman admonished a drunk to behave.” The husband then acted out the part of the drunk with his slurred speech and jerky movement. He said, “The drunk said to the lady, ‘Well lady, I may be d-rrunk now. But to-mo-rrow, I’ll be s-o-ber. But you…you…will stilllll be urrrgly.” We all laughed.

But, the wife would just look at him with a serious frown. And he would laugh loudly again. The joke, it seemed was not really for us, but merely to annoy the wife. I think the jokes help to bond them together. As Jay Leno says, “You can’t stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh.” Ok, the wife didn’t laugh at his recycled jokes, but I’m sure he has said some witty things to make her laugh many times in their long marriage. So, stay funny; stay happy.

I like how this article included scientific proof. I have always been a person of reason and having facts to back up your article really resonated with me. I agree that humor is one of the best ways to improve your relationship. I initially started dating my boyfriend of 5 years because of how funny he was. we live together and own two cats now and he never fails to make me laugh.

Hi there, what a great post on how to improve the marriage, use humor. Haha very true as I have found, people, in general, cannot “stay mad at you” when you make them chuckle. I have used it to my advantage many times. So it was good to get written confirmation that it works lol. I guessed it did, but thanks for backing up my thoughts.
Simon

Hi Simon, glad you enjoyed! And true, humor is a good way to ensure someone don’t stay mad at us. Nevertheless, I am reminded by one reader, Paul, who commented earlier, that we need to consider too the right time to share a joke. Yup, choose the right time and you’ll never get into trouble with your wife! Another reader said, knowing the person is also very important (You may read her heart warming comment at “Is that you talking or the wine?”)

I have been married 35 years and your blog on humor really hit a spot. Your own humor in conveying the message was a real treat and a very entertaining read that both my wife and I chuckled about it.
A good post that was well worth the read.

A good sense of humor is what made my wife stick around for so long during our courtship years. I like to laugh and joke and so does she. If I didn’t consider her a funny person or if she didn’t “get” my silly jokes, we probably wouldn’t still be together.

Rule #6 is excellent advice for anyone. The clock ticks by too fast to be so serious all the time!

Well Song, you may have found the secret to a long and happy marriage, … providing you tell the right jokes, at the right time, and not too loudly or too softly, … to the right people and never to the wrong ones. I do no use Rule Number 6, … I prefer to use Rule Number 2, as it involves less paperwork …

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A woman shoots her husband for stepping on the clean floor.

A police officer jumps into his squad car and calls the station.

“I have an interesting case here,” he says. “A woman shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.”

I enjoyed your article very much and even feel many of the things you shared are true, a couple who has a good sense of humor and jokes around with one another will have more fun in their marriage which has to be a good strategy to try to have.

Just seconds in, I’m already in stitches…when you grew your whiskers and your wife asked you what’s wrong? That’s something I would ask as well… lol, only if many knew that macho looks and MATURITY are two different ball games altogether. (Well, let me carry on reading).

That man with the t shirt had cracked me up good and I’ve shared it on social media… so hilarious.

By the time I watched the video clip I was already on the ground lol… oh boy, you gat me.

I still have to check out the rest of the website but if it’s anything like this, you have a winner, just be sure your wife never does see this haha! I am curious though, what does planty think of all this? Will planty have a guest blog to look forward to? Keep up the awesome work!!

Hi Jair, Wife doesn’t care much about this website so I’m safe! She thinks I’ve gone bonker with this blogging thingy. But if ever I need a place to hide, I’ll call you! Planty is doing just fine. I doubt she is interested in her own blog. She doesn’t really talk. Wife talks to her though.